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Jobs and Taxes
Teens & Income Tax0/3 questions
In this lesson
  1. Introduction
  2. When a return may be required
  3. Common student income
  4. Keep documents
  5. Put it into practice
  6. Check your understanding
  7. Official sources
  8. In short
Jobs and Taxes

Do Teenagers Pay Income Tax?

Understand why age alone does not determine filing requirements.

6 minutesIntermediateReviewed July 23, 2026Lesson 11 of 15
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to…
  • Understand that filing depends on income and circumstances, not age.
  • Identify common types of student income and their filing implications.
  • Know why keeping records matters, even before you file.

Canada does not provide a general teenager exemption. Obligations depend on income type, amount and personal circumstances.

Key takeaway

There's no minimum age for income tax in Canada — filing depends on income and circumstances.

Canada-specific

When a return may be required

A student may need to file if they owe tax, have certain CPP requirements or meet another filing condition. CPP contributions generally begin the month after you turn 18, so age can change what appears on your slips.

Even when filing is not required, it may produce a refund or establish eligibility for credits and benefits.

Common student income

Income may include employment income, tips, interest or investments, self-employment income and certain scholarships, bursaries or grants.

Whether a scholarship is taxable depends on the situation — do not assume every scholarship is taxable or tax-free.

Keep documents

Keep pay stubs, tax slips, receipts and other income records.

Key terms in this lesson
Tax return

The annual filing that reports your income and can produce a refund or unlock benefits.

Quick check

Which of these can count as income a teenager might need to report?

Put it into practice

0/3 done
  1. List each type of income you received this year.
  2. Note whether you have a slip for it.
  3. Never share your SIN inside a website or app you do not fully trust.
Check your understanding

3 questions

Progress is saved in this browser

Questions completed: 0 of 3

Question 1 of 3
Does being under 18 mean employment income is automatically tax-free?
Question 2 of 3
Why might a teenager with a small income still want to file a return?
Question 3 of 3
What are CPP contributions on a teenager's pay stub based on?

In short

  • There's no minimum age for income tax in Canada — filing depends on income and circumstances.
  • Employment income, tips, interest, self-employment income, and some scholarships can all matter for filing.
  • Filing can produce a refund or build eligibility for benefits, even when it isn't required.
  • Keep pay stubs, tax slips, and receipts, and never share your SIN on an untrusted site.
Educational content only. TaxLoophole.ca provides general educational information and does not provide personalized tax, legal or financial advice. Rules may change and may differ based on your province, territory and circumstances. Verify important decisions with the Canada Revenue Agency, another appropriate government source or a qualified professional.

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